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Nacho Monreal has been on fire but was withdrawn early against Everton due to an illness but he should be sufficiently recovered to feature against Spurs on Saturday.

Monreal has been a surprise attacking threat since being restored to the left back spot in Arsene Wenger's revived 4-man defense. It seems unlikely that he'll continue his goal-scoring exploits against Spurs on Saturday but his availability whether as part of a three-man central grouping or as the left back in a four-man set-up is critical. Arsenal have been excellent when Monreal, Koscielny, Mustafi, and Bellerin have all been available and that should be the case on Saturday whether Sead Kolasinac joins them in the starting eleven or not.

Arsenal defender Nacho Monreal participated in full team training over the last few days as he looks to be ready for the weekend.

The Spanish international returned from the World Cup but suffered a knee injury that has kept him out of much of the preseason. But after being one of three starting defenders to miss the season-opening loss to Manchester City on Sunday (the other two being long-term absentees in Sead Kolasinac and Laurent Koscielny), Monreal is expected to return to the team this weekend for another big matchup, this time against Chelsea. But with an injury to Ainsley Maitland-Niles this weekend, Monreal could slot right back into the starting lineup in no time. Said manager Unai Emery: "Today we are going to do the medical analysis with the doctor [for Maitland-Niles]. Nacho is starting with the group, working yesterday and maybe he can come in, maybe, for the next match. I think every day is important to know how they are."

Tim Ream failed to recover from a knock in time for Fulham's return to the top flight, as he was out of the squad in the Cottagers' 0-2 loss to Crystal Palace.

Slavisa Jokanovic opened the season with Cyrus Christie and brand-new signing Joe Bryan at the full back positions, while recently-acquired loanee Calum Chambers partnered summer acquisition Maxime le Marchand in the middle. Question marks abound once Ream is fully fit. One has to think Alfie Mawson, who is due back next month, is a strong first-choice candidate when he is healthy and Timothy Fosu-Mensah is also in the mix. Ream may very well be trading starts with le Marchand, making both undesirable fantasy options.

Heung-min Son is off to join his South Korean teammates as they get set to participate in the Asian Games tournament taking place in Indonesia.

As if there isn't enough pressure to perform for one's national team, Son's situation has even more on the line than the average footballer. South Korea require military service for their male citizens that must be served by the age of 27. Son has avoided this due to his football career up until now but he is about to hit that age. However, there is a way out of service for him. If he helps lead the country to a tournament win, he will be exempt from service. In the meantime, his absence should give Lucas Moura a few more weeks in a starting role.

Both Eric Dier and Lucas Moura left Tottenham's win over Newcastle United early with knocks, but Mauricio Pochettino expects both will be back in training for the coming week.

Pochettino chalked up Dier's situation as a result of a fatigue, pulling the midfielder after he began to experience minor cramping. Lucas was spotted icing his leg down after his exit, but the manager said after the match that it was "nothing". Moussa Sissoko was given a start against the Magpies, with Mousa Dembele beginning the season on the bench, but Dembele will push to join Dier in the middle of the park for next weekend's match against Fulham.

Tottenham Hotspur took all three-points at St James’ Park, but the win may have come at a cost after Lucas Moura and Eric Dier were forced off.

The Spurs squad is already a little stretched - Kieran Trippier and Danny Rose both missed out on Saturday due to a lack of match fitness - while the likes of Harry Kane, Dele Alli, Mousa Dembele and Jan Vertonghen featured against Newcastle after just 4 days training. The club have also confirmed that Heung-Min Son could be absent for up-to a month due to his participation in the upcoming Asian Games. With so many doubts heading into week two, Mauricio Pochettino can ill-afford to add further numbers to the treatment room. Fortunately, it looks like the withdrawal of Moura, who was seen icing his thigh, was more of a precaution and Dier, who was substituted late on, was due to fatigue. "No, no they are ok. I hope that Monday they will start to train with the team. Eric was so tired. He felt in the end cramp, but Lucas nothing," the Tottenham boss confirmed.

Bruno Saltor is an early doubt for the visit of Manchester United next weekend after limping off during the 2-0 defeat to Watford.

The veteran full-back was replaced within half-an-hour at Vicarage Road to compound a truly miserable afternoon in London. Manager Chris Hughton said his side were outclassed in "most departments" and he had no complaints about the result. "We never had anywhere near enough of an effect on the game. No excuses." Bernardo was the only summer signing to start on Saturday, and the left-back was forced to switch flanks following the loss of Bruno to a muscular problem. "He felt his hamstring," Hughton said. "As with all muscle injuries you don't really know the extent." If tests reveal a strain, it is likely to keep him sidelined for at least a fortnight and Gaetan Bong could come into the side. Jose Izquierdo and Florin Andone are also pushing for their inclusion after missing the opener while Jurgen Locadia, who was an unused substitute, will compete with Glenn Murray to lead the Seagulls attack.

Dejan Lovren is set for a short-spell on the sidelines after aggravating a pelvic injury in Russia.

Jurgen Klopp revealed the centre-back could return before the end of the month after he played through the pain-barrier to help Croatia reach the World Cup final. "He is not fit. Last year he already had a few problems with that, but recovery days were always enough," mused the Liverpool boss. "Now in the World Cup, [playing] three times [for] 120 minutes it got a bit worse, but I am pretty sure it will settle in the next one, two or three weeks. In the end, it is serious but not that serious, so it’s not that we need to be afraid." But, speaking to Croatian news outlet Sportske Novosti, Lovren revealed he will meet with a specialist in Holland to help find the root cause of the problem. "I cannot train at all because of stomach muscle issues," he said. "I am suffering a lot of pain and will see a doctor in the Netherlands."

Newcastle have been left sweating on the fitness of US international DeAndre Yedlin after he left St James’ Park on crutches following the home defeat by Tottenham Hotspur.

The flying full-back fell awkwardly when making a challenge as the game moved into time added-on, and following lengthy treatment on the pitch, he slowly limped to the sidelines and was helped down the tunnel. "It is too early to know what has happened," revealed Rafa Benitez post-match. "We have to wait, and the doctor has to assess the injury." Unable to put any weight through his right leg, Yedlin was seen leaving the stadium with the aid of crutches and there are growing fears on the Tyneside that he may have damaged knee ligaments. With the 25-year-old almost certain to miss next weekend's trip to Cardiff City, Benitez could look to Javier Manquillo or Jamie Sterry to slot in on the right. Although, with Christian Atsu at his disposal again, Rafa may consider a slight change of formation with the speedster playing as an attacking wing-back.

Cardiff City were left disappointed on the south coast following their opening day defeat at the hands of AFC Bournemouth.

Bobby Reid was the only summer signing to start for the Bluebirds with Alex Smithies, Greg Cunningham, Josh Murphy and Victor Camarasa all named on the bench. But, it was the absence of Kenneth Zohore from the matchday squad which caused the biggest stir after the striker failed to overcome a minor groin issue. "I thought he was going to be fit on Friday, but he just felt it a little bit," Neil Warnock confirmed following the 2-0 defeat. "I hope [he’ll be fit for next weekend] but you don't know with injuries." However, one player who will miss out [against Newcastle] is midfielder Aron Gunnarsson as he continues his recovery from a niggling knee problem. "He will probably be a couple of weeks. We're building him up, so he doesn't come back and break down again. There's no need to rush him now because we've got Harry Arter coming in."

Raheem Sterling and Bernardo Silva scored as Manchester City had a relatively easy time of it at the Emirates beating Arsenal 2-0 on Unai Emery's debut as manager.

Raheem Sterling didn't have the best of World Cups but he picked up where he left off last season for Manchester City scoring the opener and what turned out to be the match-winner. Sterling contributed again on City's second putting in Bernard Mendy who crossed to Bernardo Silva who was wide open in the center of the box and made no mistake. Arsenal had a few chances that went begging but overall, it was a strong start to the season for Pep Guardiola's side despite Kevin De Bruyne, Gabriel Jesus, David Silva, and Leroy Sane all starting the match on the bench or not even in the eleven.

Ainsley Maitland-Niles left Arsenal's season opener with Manchester City with an apparent leg injury leaving Stephan Lichsteiner to deputize out of position at left back.

It was never going to be easy for Arsenal to keep pace with last season's record-setting champions. To make matters even more difficult, they started the match with their first two choices at left back - Sead Kolasinac and Nacho Monreal - out injured. When Maitland-Niles went down injured after running step-for-step with Kyle Walker it meant that veteran right back Stephan Lichsteiner was the next man up for the Gunners. With Chelsea on the schedule next Unai Emery will be hoping that Nacho Monreal is recovered and ready to go because Lichsteiner didn't look comfortable on the wrong flank.

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